"Unfiltered emotions, exactly what tennis needs" - Tennis world reacts to Taylor Fritz shushing French Open crowd

Anirudh
Taylor Fritz shushing Court Suzanne Lenglen crowd during the 2023 French Open
Taylor Fritz shushing Court Suzanne Lenglen crowd during the 2023 French Open

Taylor Fritz's French Open second-round victory against Arthur Rinderknech was a drama-filled affair, with Fritz and the Court Suzanne Lenglen crowd being hostile towards each other.

The crowd, who came out in force to support home favorite Rinderknech, were visibly upset with the match's late start. The delay occurred because the contest between Jannik Sinner and Daniel Altmaier earlier in the evening took five-and-a-half-hours to finish.

Excitement levels in the stands went up when Rinderknech convincingly won the opening set. Fritz, however, stayed focused and fought back to take the next three sets and seal the win 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in two hours and 50 minutes.

After the grueling contest, Fritz let his frustration with the crowd boil over. He motioned them to 'shush,' which only provoked them further. Fans kept booing the American and refused to stop even when he was waiting to do the on-court interview.

The events from the match soon became a big talking point for everyone following the sport, including current and former tennis pros. Former English professional Mark Petchey, who now works as a tennis analyst, stated that he loved the 'unfiltered emotions' in the contest.

"Exactly what tennis needs. Unfiltered emotions from the fans and players. Taylor Fritz absolutely on point out there tonight," he said.

Australia's John Millman defended Fritz for his actions and stated that only those who walked in his shoes, i.e. other professional players, would understand his behavior.

"It’s hard to understand unless you’ve walked in his shoes. For the entire match he’d have been trying to hold it together, trying not to give the crowd any more ammo to use. That’s a lot of built up emotion he’s letting out at the end there," he tweeted.

Patrick McEnroe, former captain of the US Davis Cup team and brother of seven-time Grand Slam champion John, praised Fritz for his performance.

"Taylor Fritz Q factor just went up exponentially….well played Taylor Fritz on every level," he tweeted.

Here are a few more reactions:


Taylor Fritz matches best-ever French Open result, faces Francisco Cerundolo next

Taylor Fritz in action at the 2023 French Open.
Taylor Fritz in action at the 2023 French Open.

Taylor Fritz equaled his best result at the French Open with the 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 second-round win against Arthur Rinderknech. The American's best result in Paris is a third-round appearance in 2020, and he will be hoping to better that this year.

Fritz, who is making his seventh Roland Garros appearance, will face Francisco Cerundolo in the third round. Cerundolo overcame German lucky loser Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 in his second-round match,

Fritz and Cerundolo have never met on the tour before; the match on Saturday, June 3 will be the very first one of their rivalry.

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